The Broncos came out moving the ball but couldn’t quite punch it in early, settling for a pair of Wil Lutz field goals in the red zone. But just before halftime, Bo Nix made sure Denver cashed in when it mattered most.
With just 23 seconds left in the second quarter, Nix rolled right, pressure closing in fast, and somehow - while being dragged down - fired a dart to Courtland Sutton in the end zone. It wasn’t just a touchdown; it was a statement. That throw capped off a crisp 10-play, 64-yard drive that took less than two minutes and gave Denver a 13-7 lead heading into the break.
Nix looked composed and efficient in the first half, going 15-of-24 for 146 yards and that touchdown. The rookie continues to show poise under pressure, and that touchdown toss was one of those “you either have it or you don’t” moments. He had it.
Wil Lutz did his part, too. The veteran kicker knocked through a pair of 33-yard field goals - one in each of the first two quarters - providing the early points while the offense found its footing.
Washington, for their part, had their moments - but also some missed opportunities. After briefly taking a 7-6 lead, they’ll be looking back at a costly turnover that could’ve changed the tone of the half.
Marcus Mariota, starting under center for the Commanders, made a critical mistake in the second quarter. On a second-and-6 from the Broncos’ 19-yard line, he looked like he might take off and run, but instead forced a throw to his left while getting hit by Denver’s D.J.
Jones. The ball floated - never a good sign - and was picked off by linebacker Dre Greenlaw, who returned it 27 yards to set up Denver at their own 34.
That turnover led directly to Lutz’s second field goal, putting Denver up 6-0 at the time.
Washington’s lone touchdown of the half came on a drive that featured a bit of controversy. After what looked like a clean stop by Zach Allen on Mariota, the Commanders were facing second-and-15.
But then came a flag - unnecessary roughness on Nick Bonitto for pulling a player off a “pile.” The issue?
There wasn’t much of a pile. As NBC’s rules analyst Terry McAulay pointed out, a pile typically involves at least two players.
This one? Not so much.
Still, the flag stood, and it moved Washington to Denver’s 8-yard line. One play later, running back Chris Rodriguez powered into the end zone to give the Commanders a brief 7-6 lead.
Mariota’s first half was a mixed bag - he went 9-of-13 for 72 yards with the interception. Tight end Zach Ertz was his most reliable target, hauling in five catches for 45 yards.
The Commanders will get the ball to start the second half, and they’ll need to clean up the mistakes if they want to keep pace with a Denver offense that’s starting to find its rhythm behind the rookie Nix.